LAPD investigating Valentine’s Day-style post mocking George Floyd
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating a Valentine’s Day-style image mocking the death of George Floyd that was allegedly shared among department employees.
The image included a photo of Floyd with the caption “You take my breath away,” according to multiple reports.
Floyd, a Black man, died last May after a former Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes during an arrest.
The LAPD tweeted a statement on Saturday saying that it is “aware of allegations that an image was being passed around the department and this image was in the workplace.”
The department also confirmed on Twitter that the image was allegedly created by an employee of the department. It has launched a “personnel complaint” and is interviewing department employees.
“The Department will have zero tolerance for this type of behavior,” the Saturday statement continued.
The Department has become aware of allegations that an image was being passed around the department and this image was in the workplace. There are also allegations that the post with the image was authored by a department employee.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) February 14, 2021
If found any employee or supervisor is directed to take possession and identify those present. The Department will have zero tolerance for this type of behavior.
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) February 14, 2021
LAPD Chief Michel Moore said Saturday that the officer who made the complaint about the image is set to be interviewed on Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Moore added that “people will find my wrath” if the department confirms that officers shared the image.
Floyd’s death was a catalyst in protests that erupted across the country over the summer calling for widespread police and criminal justice reforms. Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck during the arrest, is facing murder and manslaughter charges.
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